Highland Park House

Highland park house kitchen

Highland park house kitchen

Highland Park House

Highland Park House bathroom

Highland Park House Living room

Highland park house kitchen

Highland Park House

Largely an interior renovation of an unremarkable “Spanish style” house built in the early 1920s, the strategy of this project was to convert a series of small rooms into one larger space, while giving special attention to details. A palette of inviting materials begins with the sill of a new opening in the living room that becomes a bench made of Douglas Fir in the dining area. The back of the bench transitions into the backsplash for the kitchen countertop made of matte plastic laminate. The nose of the bench becomes the handle for a large kitchen drawer. A large mirrored wall in the living room bounces sunlight into the room, and blurs the line between wall and openings. A teak vanity with a solid teak countertop is a welcome sight in the former dark bathroom that is now freshly brightened with an operable skylight. New views are given to the valley and the lush surrounding yard. In making the 850 sf house feel more spacious, the neglected house has been transformed into a small gem.